How to Make Irish Coffee
If you love coffee and whiskey then this Irish coffee recipe is the perfect hot cocktail you are looking for. These two ingredients in a coffee mug will warm up your heart. It is rich, simple and can be made from scratch at home in 5 minutes.
It makes a great after-dinner drink just like an affogato but honestly, this drink is perfect for any time of the day. Let me show you how to make it in simple steps.
Why this recipe is so good
- It is not just St. Patrick’s Day drink only. You can have it any time of the year or any holiday. It is great at Christmas, Easter, Halloween, summer parties, dinner parties and the likes.
- While everyone that made this recipe can claim it is the best; truth is, it is the best! If you made this at home, you could make it your own way and can sweeten or spike with more whiskey as desired.
- Simple, quick and easy!
- It is a coffee dessert you will love, scouts honour!
What is Irish coffee?
Irish coffee is a cocktail made up of the classic combination of freshly brewed black coffee, smooth Irish whiskey (Read the line again, smooth!) lightly whipped cream and a sweetener mostly sugar cubes or brown sugar.
This is a classic hot cocktail that is easy and quick to make. It does not require any expertise or bartending skills. It is bliss and doesn’t need much.
Where does it originate from? A young man named Joe Sheridan who worked as a chef in the 1940s first made this drink for his restaurant guests when the weather was horrendous.
How did it get the name? It was said that an American that tasted the drink asked him if it was Brazilian coffee, Joe responded by saying no, it is Irish coffee. There have been different variations to the original recipe ever since.
Traditional Irish Coffee Ingredients
Smooth Irish whiskey
Brown sugar: this is the traditional ingredient used but I swapped it with my homemade vanilla syrup since it has brown sugar in it.
Brewed black coffee
Cold heavy cream (double cream)
How to make Irish coffee
Warm the mug: start by using a heatproof glass or mug (230ml size), fill the mug with hot water then set it aside while you brew the coffee. Let it sit for about two minutes so that the mug is thoroughly warmed through. Discard the water.
Pour the brewed hot coffee into the mug, fill it about ¾ way.
Add brown sugar, sugar cubes or sugar syrup then mix to combine. If using granulated sugar, stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
Add the Irish whiskey and stir to combine.
Lightly whip the cold heavy cream. Note that the cream until soft peak but should still be pourable.
Top the Irish coffee by pouring the whipped cream over the back of a spoon, that way, the cream floats and doesn’t break into the coffee. Don’t stir the coffee, drink through the cream. Enjoy!!!
Tips
If you love cold brew then make the Irish coffee with cold coffee and maybe some ice too. You can use coffee cubes so that the cold drink is not watered down.
Swap the brown sugar or syrup for maple syrup or coconut sugar
Substitute the whipped cream for Irish cream to make this cocktail Irish coffee cream. No, don’t just mix the cream straight into the coffee, trust me they don’t taste the same.
If you can’t tolerate caffeinated coffee, it is ok to use decaffeinated coffee for this recipe
Use your favourite coffee for this recipe. I used medium dark roast
Adjust the quantity of whiskey to taste. I used Jameson smooth Irish whisky but you can use any brand of choice.
Finish the drink off by grating fresh nutmeg or chocolate shavings over the cream.
FAQ
Is coffee and whisky good and do they go together
Yes, you can add both together, they blend well but as with every alcohol, drink in moderation. More importantly, be sure to be of age before consuming alcohol.
Can Irish coffee get you drunk?
Irish coffee made with just an ounce of whiskey should not get you drunk if you drink alcohol.
What is a Baileys coffee called?
Bailey’s coffee is called Irish cream coffee. It is sweet, creamy. The quantity of baileys or other Irish cream brand you add to the coffee would determine the alcohol content in the drink.
More coffee and drink recipes
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How to Make Irish Coffee
Equipment
- 230ml Irish coffee mug
Ingredients
- 30 ml Smooth Irish whiskey
- 2 tsp sugar syrup
- 150 ml freshly brewed black coffee.
- 50 ml Cold heavy cream
Instructions
- Warm the mug: start by using a heatproof glass or mug, fill the mug with hot water then set it aside while you brew the coffee. Let it sit for about two minutes so that the mug is thoroughly warmed through. Discard the water.
- Pour the brewed hot coffee into the mug, fill it about ¾ way.
- Add brown sugar, sugar cubes or sugar syrup then mix to combine. If using granulated sugar, stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add the Irish whiskey and stir to combine.
- Lightly whip the cold heavy cream. Note that the cream should be soft peak but still be pourable.
- Top the Irish coffee by pouring the whipped cream over the back of a spoon, that way, the cream floats and doesn’t break into the coffee. Don’t stir the coffee, drink through the cream. Enjoy!!!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
